Latch unit for longitudinally movable closures



D. S. HARRIS April 30, 1968 LATCH UNIT FOR LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE CLOSURES Filed 001,. 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DONALD S. HARRIS ATTORNEYS April 30, 1968 D. s. HARRIS 3,380,647

LATCH UNIT FOR LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE CLOSURES United States Patent 3,380,647 LATQH UNiT FOR LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE CLOSURES Donald S. Harris, New (fastle, lnd., assignor to New Castle Products, lne, New Castle, Ind, a corporation of Indiana Filed Oct. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 493,365 (Ilairns. (Cl. 292-64) ABSTRACT OF THE DHSCLOSURE A door latch for folding doors which is operated by raising or lowering of the door handle in which the operating mechanism is contained within the lead post and which includes an operating bolt for-med with a cam on its lower surface, and which projects outwardly to engage the keeper and then is drawn downwardly and inwardly within the lead post as the handle is lowered to form a positive operating latch.

This invention relates to an improved latch unit for engaging and locking longitudinally movable closures, such as sliding or folding doors, room partitions and dividers, and more particularly, to a latch unit of simplified compact construction which is adapted to pull or draw the leading vertical edge portion of the closure toward an adjacent jarnb member, such as a fixed jamb post or the lead post of another closure. The present invention therefore is an improvement over the general type of latch unit shown in US. patent to Harris No. 2,862,378 of 1958 and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

One problem characteristic of folding doors and room partitions, and especially those which are covered with plural sheets of flexible material such as vinyl, is the spring-back of the partition throughout the final few inches of closing. This spring-back requires the application of a stretching force to complete the closing movement of the folding door, and this force is significantly greater than the force required for normally opening and closing the door. This requirement of additional force is especially noticable when two opposed folding doors or partitions are joined or coupled together, since the springback forces of the doors or partitions are in opposite directions over a greater distance to effect full closing there of.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved latch unit for longitudinally movable doors, partitions and the like, in which a bolt member extends longitudinally from the leading edge portion of the door to engage a keeper mounted on a jamb member and in which the closing of the door may be completed with only a relatively light actuating force.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel latch unit having a simplified and compact construction in which the latch unit may be mounted completely within a slim vertical lead post and which is therefore ideally suited for such folding doors or partitions having a single wall construction.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a latch unit, as outlined above, including a bolt member which is mounted for generally vertical movement within the lead post of a closure and which is formed with a cam surface so that one end of the bolt member can be extended outwardly by a distance greater than the depth of the lead post permitting the use of a slim lead post.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a latch which is operated by a generally vertically-directed sliding motion which is translated to a transverse closing and opening movement of a latch ntember.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a ice latch for sliding or folding doors, or the like, which is operated by a vertical motion and which includes a camoperated bolt for effecting closing movement of the door or closure.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved latch unit, as outlined above, wherein the bolt member is completely retracted when the folding closure is in the open position to avoid the possibility of it snag ging on clothing or articles.

As a more specific object, the present invention pro vides a latch unit, as outlined above, including a somewhat arcuate-shaped bolt member slidably mounted within the lead post of the closure and connected by an actuating handle and mechanism so that the upward movement of the handle extends the bolt member for connection with a keeper and the weight of the actuating handle and mechanism helps to draw the lead post toward the keeper for locking or securing the closure in the closed position.

As another object, the present invention provides a latch unit as described above wherein an elongated handle depends from each side of the lead post on the closure and can be used for conveniently collapsing and extending the closure while simultaneously actuating the latch.

Other objects and advantages of the invention 'will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a room containing a folding accordion type room divider or partition illustrating a typical use for a latch unit formed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lead and jamb posts portions of the folding closures in FIG. 1 and showing the closures in the fully closed and latched position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the lead and jam-b posts and showing the latch unit in plan view as seen along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 prior to closing or coupling of the closures;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latch keeper adapted to be mounted on the jamb member or post;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of the lead post showing the overall assembled relationship of the components of the latch mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side view, partially in section, through the latch mechanism with the view of the portion of the mechanism on the lead post being taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 5 and showing the extended position of the latch bolt in initial engagement with the keeper;

FIG. 7 is a further view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the latch mechanism in the locked or latched position; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the closure lead post and showing the latch bolt in its completely retracted position when the closure is in an open or retracted position.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, a latch constructed in accordance with this invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 for coupling a pair of accordion-type folding closures 10 and 11 which commonly are used as room dividers or partitions, and are normally suspended from a series of roller carriages carried within a horizontally extending track 13. As shown, the folding closures 10 and 11 include support members comprising a vert cally ex tending lead post 14 mounted on its leading edge of the closure portion 10, and a cooperating jamb post 16 mounted on the opposing edge portion of the closure 11. While the post 16 is shown as being part of a movable closure member it may also be a fixed jamb post in other installations of the latch assembly of this invention.

To provide for compactness when the closures are collapsed, it is desirable to minimize the cross-sectional size of the posts 14 and 16 to provide posts having a relatively slim configuration. Thus preferably the posts 14 and 16 may be formed from a relatively slim U-shaped aluminum extrusion each having a front wall 17 connecting the parallel, spaced-apart side walls 18 and 19. A pair of opposed grooves 22 are formed within the end portions of the side walls 18 and 19 for slidably receiving a relatively flat, channel-like connecting member 24 having a vertically extending socket 26 by which the respective vertically extending edges of the folding doors or closures 10 and 11 are connected. As shown in FIG. 2, the posts 14 and 16 are separately suspended and carried by the brackets 28 having mounted thereon a series of rollers 30 which roll on the track 13.

Referring to FIG. 3, mounted on the front wall 17 of the jamb post 16 is a vertically-extending channel-shaped extrusion 32 which preferably retains a resilient, spongelike compression seal 34 extending vertically along the full length of the extrusion member 32. Also mounted on the Wall 17 and extending through an opening formed in the extrusion and seal 34 is a keeper 35 (FIG. 4) which generally includes a U-shaped channel 37 from which extend a pair of spaced, vertically-extending tabs 38 defining a track or slot 39. The keeper 35 is mounted on the jamb post 16 by a pair of screws 40 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which extend through the holes 42 formed in the keeper and corresponding holes formed in the front wall 17 to receive the nuts 41 within the post 16. A verticallyextending channel member 45 is mounted on the front wall 17 of the lead post 14, and is proportioned to pass over the keeper 35 and to be received within the channels'haped extrusion 32 as the closures are coupled and locked together so that the vertical edges 46 of the channel member 45 engage the resilient strip 34 to form a tight seal.

As mentioned above, the operating mechanism of the latch of this invention is supported by the lead post and is contained entirely within the transverse depth of the post without protruding into the space occupied by the folding partition structure. The latch thus includes a pair of flat guide plates 48 (FIGS. 3, and 6) between the walls 18 and 19. The plates 48 are positioned parallel to each other and are rigidly connected by a pair of shouldered tubular rivets 50. Locating bolts 51 extend through the rivets 50 and also through aligned holes formed in the side walls 13 and 19 and position the plates 48 generally centrally between these walls.

A verticallyextending slot 52 is formed in aligned relationship within each of the guide plates 48. Also, an integral tab 54 projects forwardly from each of the guide plates through a vertically-extending slot 55 formed within the front wall 17 of the lead post 14 and in the channel member 45. Extending through the tabs 54 of the guide plates 48 is a fixed guide rivet or pin 56 (FIG. 5) which is provided with spaced apart shoulders corresponding to the parallel spacing of the guide plates 48.

A curved or arcuately shaped bolt member 60 is mounted for movement between the guide plates 48. The lower portion of the bolt member 60 carries a laterallyextending actuating pin 61 which is received for vertical sliding and pivotal movement within the aligned slots 52. The bolt member 60 is preferably constructed from fiat plate material and has a thickness which is less than the spacing between the plates 48 and also less than the spacing between the flanges 38 of the keeper 35 so that the extended end port-ion thereof may be received within the keeper slot 39.

The member 60 is further formed with a curved lower edge or cam surface indicated generally at 62 in FIG. 6 and which slidably engages the guide pin 56'. The surface 62 is further formed with an offset fiat edge or latching surface 67 adjacent the outer end portion of the member 60 and which, effectively, forms a continuation of the surface 62. The latching surface 67 cooperates with the 4 pin 56 to provide a latching action to the bolt member 60 at the conclusion of its closing movement which prevents the separation of the posts 14 and 16 until the latch is manually released. A short transverse latch pin 70 is pressditted through a suitable hole in the upper end portion of the member 60 and is proportioned to be received within the keeper 35 behind the flange 38.

Actuating means for operating the bolt member 60 and for moving and guiding the same for vertical movement in the slot 52, includes a pair of tubular bosses 72 which are carried on the projecting ends of the actuating pin on opposite sides of the guide plates 48. The bosses 72 are integrally connected such as by welding, to the inside surface of a pair of channel-shaped slides 75 mounted exteriorly of the side walls 18 and 19 of the lead post 14 (FIG. 3). For this purpose, there is provided a suitably slotted or prepared opening 76 through each of the respective side walls through which the bosses 72 extend to engage the actuating pin 61.

Means for guiding the channel members in vertical movement includes a pair of corresponding guide bars 77 mounted on the outer surface of the lead post walls 13 and 19 by nuts 73 which are threaded on the ends of the bolts 51. The nuts 7-8 are recessed within corresponding counterbores formed in the bars 77 so that the slides 75 can move vertical thereover without interference. Also, the guide bars 77 are further formed with slots 79 which are aligned generally with the prepared openings 76 in the side walls 18 and 19 through which the tubular bosses 72 extend.

To retain the channel members 75 and integral bosses 72 on the pin 61 so that the guide plates 48 are centrally spaced on the pins 51, a pair of head members 80 are mounted on opposite ends of the pins 61 and are secured thereto by riveting or deforming the ends 82 of the pin 61. A pair of elongated handles 85 are pivotally connected by cross pins 86 to the head members 80 on opposite sides of the lead post 14 and are provided with resilient protective caps 87 on the ends thereof. The head members 80 are adapted to rotate or turn freely on the pin 61 so that the handles may be pulled or pushed from any direction for conveniently collapsing or extending the folding closure 19.

In operation, the lead post 14 and jamb post 16 of the respective closures 10 and 11 are brought within a few inches of each other and the upper portion of the latch bolt 60 is extended by raising one of the handles 85. The pin '70 (FIG. 6) is crammed upwardly by engagement with the tabs 38 of the keeper 35 so that the bolt member 66 moves to a position shown by the broken line (FIG. 6). The pin '70 may then drop in behind the tabs 38. In this position, the lead posts 14 and jamb post 16 are coupled together in spaced apart relationship as shown in FIG. 6. The lower portion of the bolt member 60 is then drawn downwardly by pulling on one of the handles 85 connected to the pin 61 so that the cam surface 62 of the bolt member 60 moves in sliding engagement with the fixed pin 56 causing the posts 14 and 16 to be drawin together to the position shown in FIG. 7 and in which the bolt member 60 is positioned generally vertically.

In the latched position of the members, as shown in FIG. 7, the fiat latching surface 67 of the bolt member 60 is in engagement with the pin 56. In this position, the surface 67 is in substantial vertical alignment with respect to the point of contact with the pin 56, and thereby effectively prevents the separation of the posts 14 and 16. Further, the weight of the handles 85 and the connected channels 75 is sufficient to assure that the latch remains in the latched condition until intentionally released by raising one of the handles. In the latched position, the actuating pin 61 is adjacent but not the bottom of the slots 52, as shown in FIG. 7.

When it is desired to release the latch and open the closures 10 and 11, and upward or lifting force is exerted on one of the handles causing the bolt member 60 to slide along the pin 56 and the lead and jamb post to separate, and allowing the pin 70 to be removed from the top of the keeper 35. When the handle 85 is then released, the weight of the handles together and the channel slides 75 cause the full retraction of the bolt member 60 into the lead post with the pin 61 resting at the bottom of the slots 52, as shown in FIG. 7. It will be seen that no portion of the bolt member projects beyond the outer edges 46 of the channel 45 when the latch is not in use.

From the drawings and the above description it can be seen that the latch unit of the invention provides several desirable features and advantages. Basically, by positioning the arcuate bolt member 60 generally vertically within the lead post 14 so that it can be cammed outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 6, the posts 14 and 16 can be coupled and drawn together from a substantial spaced apart distance. Furthermore, it has been found that the lead post 14 can be firmly connected to the jamb post 16 by exerting only a light force on the handle 35. As mentioned above this feature is particularly desirable for accordion type doors and partitions which have an inherent spring back when extended and/or when it is desirable to form a tight resilient seal between the posts for acoustical purposes.

It is also a feature that the cam surface 62 cooperates with the pin 56 to provide a high mechanical advantage whereby a substantially high force can be exerted on the pins 56 and 70 to draw the posts 14 and 16 firmly together with only a relatively light actuating force exerted on the handle 85. Another important feature is provided by the generally vertical retracted position of the bolt member 60 within the lead post 14 which provides for a compact structure so that a relatively slim lead post can be used.

Furthermore when the bolt member 60 is retracted as shown in FIG. 8, no portion of the bolt member projects beyond the extremities of the post which provides for a pleasing and neat appearance. Still an additional feature is provided by combining the actuation of the latch with the depending handles 85 whereby the bolt member 60 can be extended at the same time the folding door or closure is being closed or extended. This provides for a simplified latch operation and enables the closure to be locked with a jamb member or post without removing the hand from the handle 85.

While the form apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved compact latch unit for drawing together and latching the leading edge portion of a longitudinally movable closure such as an accordion type folding door or partition with a jamb post, comprising a lead post adapted to be mounted on the edge portion of the closure, an elongated bolt member having upper and lower portions and a cam surface extending between said portions, means on said bolt member further defining a latching surface adjacent the upper portion, means mounting said lower portion of said bolt member in said lead post for vertical movement between a raised and a lowered position, follower means mounted on said lead post and engaging said cam surface for guiding said upper portion of said bolt member to an outwardly extended position from a normally retracted position as said lower portion is moved from said lowered to said raised position, a keeper adapted to be mounted on the jamb post and having a vertically extending track means, means on said upper portion of said bolt member for engaging said keeper at said track means, means connected to said lower portion of said bolt member for moving the same between said positions to extend said upper portion for engaging said track means and to retract said upper portion for pulling the lead post toward the jamb post by movement of said cam surface over said follower means until said latching surface is in engagement with said follower means, said latching surface cooperating with said follower means to retain said posts together in a latched condition.

2. An improved compact latch unit for drawing together and latching the leading vertical edge 'portion of a longitudinally movable closure such as an accordion type folding door or partition with a jamb member, comprising support means adapted to be mounted on the edge portion of the closure, an elongated arcuate bolt member having upper and lower portions, means on said bolt member defining a cam surface extending between said portions and further defining a latching surface adjacent said upper portion effectively formed as a continuation of .said cam surface, vertically extending guide means connected to said support means, means for mounting said lower portion of said bolt member for pivotable and vertical movement within said guide means, follower means mounted on said support means and engaging said cam surface for guiding said upper portion of said bolt member to an outwardly extending position from a normally retracted position as said lower portion is moved upwardly within said guide means and engaging said latching surface as said bolt member is moved downwardly in said guide means, a keeper adapted to be mounted on the jamb member, means projecting from said upper portion of said bolt member for engaging said keeper when said upper portion is extended and said support means is moved toward the jamb member, and handle means connected to said lower portion of said bolt member for moving the same from said outwardly extending position in engagement with said keeper to said retracted position pulling the closure edge portion toward said keeper and latching said vertical edge portion with said jamb member by engagement of said latching surface with said follower means.

3. An improved compact latch unit for drawing together and latching the leading vertical edge portion of a longitudinally movable closure such as an accordion type folding door or partition with a jamb post, comprising a slim lead post adapted to be mounted on the leading edge portion of the closure, an arcuate generally flat bolt member having a curved cam surface and upper and lower end portions, a pair of vertically extending and spaced apart guide plates mounted within said lead post, means for mounting said lower end portion of said bolt member for pivotal and vertical movement between said guide plates, pin means mounted on said guide plates and engaging said cam surface for guiding said upper end portion of said bolt member to an outwardly extending position from a normally retracted position as said lower end portion is moved upwardly between said guide plates, a keeper adapted to be mounted on the jamb post and having a vertically extending track, means projecting from said upper portion of said bolt member for engaging said track when said upper end portion is extended and said lead post is moved toward the jamb post, and a pair of elongated depending handles pivotally connected to said lower end portion of said bolt member for moving the same between said guide plates to extend said upper end portion for engaging said keeper track and to retract said upper end portion for pulling said lead post toward said jamb post.

4. A latch unit as defined in claim 3 wherein said upper end portion of said bolt member includes a latching surface for engaging said pin means when said bolt member is retracted to prevent spring-back within the closure from self-operating the latch unit until said handles are actuated.

5. A compact latch unit particularly adapted for use with folding panels, partitions and the like comprising a lead post, a generally vertically positioned bolt having a lower arcuate surface, means mounting an inner end of said bolt for generally vertical movement in said post, guide means in said post in engagement with the arcuate surface providing for movement of said bolt between a retracted position in which said bolt is fully retracted into said lead post and an extended raised position in which a portion of said bolt extends outwardly of said post, vertically slotted keeper means adapted for mounting on a trail post and engageable with said bolt in said extended position thereof and providing for relative sliding movement therebetween as said bolt moves from said extended position toward said retracted position, operator means for said bolt including means forming a vertically extending guide on said lead post exteriorly thereof, an operator slidably mounted for vertical movement on said guide, and means connecting said operator to said bolt at said inner end thereof for eifecting said extending and retracting movement of said bolt with vertical movement of said operator on said lead post.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 983,647 2/1911 Romines 2921l1 1,230,006 6/1917 Meyers 292190 1,369,713 2/1921 Smith 292-109 2,961,262 11/ 1960 Nockles 292-113 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner. 

